I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
While preventive dental care allows family dentistry professionals to address carious teeth and gingivitis, it may also be saving your life. Your dental examination can reveal life-threatening medical conditions, but when they are diagnosed and treated in their early stages, you are more likely to enjoy an excellent prognosis. Here are three serious medical conditions that your dentist may discover during a routine checkup:
Erythroplakia
Erythroplakia refers to bright-red patches that appear inside the mouth, usually on the soft palate, tongue, or floor of the mouth. The patches often resemble red velvet and do not go away without treatment. These lesions, typically caused by cigarette smoking and excessive drinking, are considered precancerous.
While generally asymptomatic, erythroplakia can cause irritation or burning sensations in the mouth. When diagnosed and addressed in a timely manner, erythroplakia is less likely to progress to squamous cell carcinoma or other types of oral cancer.
Candida Infections
Diabetics are at risk for developing oral fungal infections known as candidiasis, which produce white lesions inside the mouth that may bleed when scraped. The white patches are usually located on the tongue but can develop anywhere inside an oral cavity, including the throat.
While most people who get oral yeast infections have already been diagnosed with hyperglycemia or diabetes, candida yeast infections may be the first symptom of diabetes in diabetic patients. If your dental examination reveals evidence of an oral fungal infection, your dentist may refer you to your physician for further evaluation and treatment.
Bleeding Disorders
Although it is not uncommon for your gums to bleed slightly during a dental examination, profuse or uncontrolled bleeding during routine dental care may indicate the presence of a blood platelet disorder or even liver disease.
If your gums bleed during your dental checkups, your dentist will ask you if you take medications like aspirin or anticoagulants. These medications can cause excessive or prolonged gingival bleeding; however, once the medications are discontinued, oral bleeding will stop. Other causes of bleeding gums include periodontitis, hormonal fluctuations, and vitamin C deficiency.
If you're not taking medications known to inhibit platelet aggregation, or if you don't have gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you see your primary physician for a complete blood count and blood chemistry profile to rule out medical causes of your bleeding gums.
See your dentist on a regular basis for routine examinations. When the causes of erythroplakia, candida infections, and bleeding gums are determined and treated in their early stages, they are less likely to progress to more serious health problems.
Share22 July 2019
